NFL Coaches Join Iraq USO Tour

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^

[SandRat]

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher (right) and Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher share some laughs with U.S. servicemembers during a National Football League coaches USO tour of Iraq, at Al Faw Palace, Baghdad, July 2. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Edwin L. Wriston, Joint Combat Camera Center – Iraq.

KIRKUK — It was a long line for Soldiers and Airmen, but awaiting them at the end were legendary NFL coaches ready to sign photos, shirts or anything else you could scribble a signature on.

The coaches, who included New York Giants’ Coach Tom Coughlin, Baltimore Ravens’ Coach John Harbaugh, Tennessee Titans’ Coach Jeff Fisher, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Coach Jon Gruden, and former Pittsburgh Steelers’ Coach Bill Cowher, were accompanied by Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of Multi-National Force - Iraq, during their visit, July 2.

The coaches signed autographs and took photos with as many Soldiers and Airmen who could crowd around them, before eating lunch with servicemembers.

“Even though there wasn’t the Saints head coach, it was a good experience,” said Pfc. Tad Letourneau, a Louisiana native.

Letourneau was one of the lucky few who had a chance to put on Gruden’s victory ring from Super Bowl XXXVII while getting an autograph.

“It felt good,” he said. “I know I will never be able to wear one on my own.”

Odierno, who is a close friend of Coughlin’s and has visited him during the Giants training camp, was very impressed by how well the coaches interacted with the servicemembers.

“It’s a tremendous group of coaches, incredible experience, and they’ve been tremendous with the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines,” Odierno said. “They have been signing many, many thousands of autographs and taking hundreds and hundreds of photos and they’ve been wonderful so far.”

During his visit, Coughlin reflected on how he feels about the servicemembers serving in Iraq.

“I’ve been so impressed and so inspired by the attitude,” he said. The men and women over here really believe in what they are doing, and we are always impressed by that.

“I know that the troops think that we’re here to inspire them, but believe me, they inspire us as well,” said Coughlin.

Coughlin also recognized the sense of teamwork that, much like in football, is so important for servicemembers.

“You have to serve each other in order to actually understand what the team concept is all about,” he explained.

[SandRat]

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[kellynla]

Every swinging dick in the NFL should be on the tour!!!

shezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Semper Fi,
Kelly